# Write in a colleague's yearbook

> Open the invitation email or the colleague's card under Upcoming Milestones, write 100 to 700 characters and select Quickshare. Your message goes into their service yearbook or retirement book.

- Product: Recognition › Milestones and celebrations

- Plan: Recognition
- Where: Vantage Circle web app
- Last checked: 15 Oct 2026
- Web page: https://www.vantagecircle.com/en/help/recognition/milestones-and-celebrations/write-in-a-colleagues-yearbook/

A yearbook collects messages from colleagues before someone's work anniversary. A retirement book does the same before someone retires. Both are turned on by your company, so you'll only see them if yours uses them.

## When you're asked

You'll get an email asking you to share your thoughts. Who gets it depends on your company:

- **Work anniversary:** by default, everyone in the person's department, 7 days before the anniversary. People who haven't written get a reminder 3 days before. The email gives the last day to write, which is the day before the anniversary. Some companies let the person choose who to invite instead.
- **Retirement:** by default, everyone in the company, 28 days before the retirement date. People who haven't written get reminders 21 and 14 days before. The book is sent to the person 7 days before they retire, so write before then.

You don't need the email to take part. On the web, open the **Milestone** tab in Recognition. **Upcoming Milestones** on the left lists colleagues with a milestone coming up. Select a name, or select **See all** to filter by anniversary or **Retirement**, by department, or search by email. Then select **Quickshare** on their card. You can't write in your own yearbook.

## Write your message

1. **Write 100 to 700 characters.** For a work anniversary, a suggested message is written for you while the page loads. Change it, or select **Regenerate** for a new one. The light bulb offers more help with wording.
2. **Add a photo if you like.** If your company allows photos, upload one up to 1 MB or pick one of the suggested images.
3. **Share it.** Select **Quickshare** for a work anniversary, or **Share your thoughts** for a retirement book. You'll see "Thanks for sharing your message." Select **Go to Feed** to return to the home feed.

## Who can read it

Your message goes into the person's book with your name. Other colleagues on the same page can read it too: **N people shared already** shows how many have written, and **View** opens their messages.

## Change or remove your message

Open the same page again. Select the pencil to edit, then **Update your comment**. To remove it, select the delete icon, then **Yes** at "Are you sure you want to delete the message?".

## If something goes wrong

**Quickshare is greyed out.** Your message is under 100 or over 700 characters. Over the limit, you'll see "Your message has exceeded the limit by" and the number of extra characters.

**"Maximum file size allowed (1MB)"** Choose a smaller image.

**No Quickshare button on a colleague's card.** Their yearbook hasn't started yet, or it's your own card.